Ch1pbutty
Super Poster
VIP Member
Twin sliders at last!
And they shifted the roller awning over to the passenger side, and what looks like a couple of different work top / outdoor bar options.
Is the van in the background a Beach teaser? as
looks to have no overhead storage over rear seats.
Last edited:
Corradobrit
I'm curious where VW expect people to put their food and drinks. All I see is tiny side table.
Seats look comfy. Not sure if I like the fridge in that position. The T6.1 wins on storage space. The under seat drawers are small. Wardrobe?
For me a swing and a miss
Seats look comfy. Not sure if I like the fridge in that position. The T6.1 wins on storage space. The under seat drawers are small. Wardrobe?
For me a swing and a miss
NBY Barnstaple-Devon
looks pretty good as a new release!!
Corradobrit
Def better for RHD. For LHD its unnecessary
Corradobrit
Here are some of the key features of the concept car:
First plug-in hybrid as #California travel mobile
State-of-the-art drive, assistance and infotainment systems
3-room apartment with new flexible interior concept
Outdoor kitchen with outlet box and electric grill
Smart camping with thoughtful ambient lighting
Ch1pbutty
Super Poster
VIP Member
Fridge gives more more worktop space & you can grab a beer etc through the sliding door, whilst you are sat outside under the awning.
Ch1pbutty
Super Poster
VIP Member
It makes the outdoor kitchen idea work. Long bar area on the extended photo, and external gas connection would be on the kitchen side of the van.
Last edited:
Ch1pbutty
Super Poster
VIP Member
Think it will be an option - long or short.
Seems to have split fold seats, which is great for surfboards!
P
Peter84
P
Peter84
And a video/roomtour
temporarysecretary
VIP Member
Looks to me that it 'sheaths' under the 'wardrobe'
Corradobrit
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presents the California CONCEPT study in a world premiere at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon
the series - with all the continuity of the iconic details - is always further developed. The new California CONCEPT is now another big step forward. Its technical features make it the ideal motorhome of our time: The California CONCEPT offers the advantages of plug-in hybrid technology for the first time. On board, the study has a hybrid drive: With its electric range, it beats a
Bridge into the world of e-mobility and can travel emission-free through everyday urban life, but at the same time it offers enormous overall ranges for long journeys. Lithium-ion batteries on board ensure an almost self-sufficient 12V power supply.
Life in nature
The living and kitchen area of the motorhome was completely rethought. Because for the first time, this California is also equipped with a sliding door on the kitchen side. Thus, the usability now extends more than before to the outdoor area of the parking space and thus opens up a new dimension of summer camping in nature. So far, it has been like this: All California on the basis of the Bulli had the kitchen block reaching up to the B-pillar on the left side and a sliding door on the right side; this door was the main portal - both in everyday life and when camping.
The camper folding chairs and the folding table as well as the awning were therefore also always set up on the right side of the vehicle. From now on, it is like this: With the California CONCEPT, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles opens up the left side of the vehicle for camping through the additional sliding door on the driver's side and a kitchen block - in the style of the large Grand California - further back. This makes the California even more versatile as a motorhome.
Since the study is equipped with a articulated arm awning on the left and with a sun sail on the right, both sides of the vehicle can be shaded or protected from rain. The sun sail can be used in a few moments. The awning, however, has a crank; which is safely stowed in the awning housing.
Three-room concept
For the first time, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presents a three-room concept with the show car. These outdoor and indoor situations for the camper parking space and everyday life significantly expand the range of applications and usability of the California.
Room 1 (outside)
The right side of the vehicle offers a safe entry and exit on the sidewalk side in everyday life with its sliding door as with the current California 6.1. Loading and unloading is correspondingly safe and easy. At the campsite, this area becomes an open tent and extended open-air space in nature thanks to the sun sail.
Room 2 (inside)
The entire interior behind the 180-degree rotatable front seats (adjustable in height) is the usual flexibly usable passenger compartment of a multivan in everyday life. Compared to today's California, there are light, removable and
2/7
very comfortable individual seats for use. Thanks to the variable seats, boards and bikes can now also be transported more easily in the interior. If the California CONCEPT is used as a camper, the seating area can be quickly converted into a lying surface for chilling or into a vis-à-vis arrangement of the seats for eating or playing together. The massive rear seat of the California 6.1 makes room for variable individual seats with sleeping function in the California CONCEPT. The seats are covered with an equally insensitive and haptically pleasant fabric cover in the "Mélange" design.
Room 3 (outside)
The additional sliding door on the driver's side, the redesign of the kitchenette including awning creates a new outdoor area on the left, which was previously not available at any other California in connection with an outdoor kitchen. In everyday life, the second sliding door offers another entry and exit and additional loading facilities on the home driveway or in front of the supermarket. When camping, however, the actual space for cooking and eating as well as for long summer evenings under the awning is created here. Because the kitchenette with sink, sliding induction hob and refrigerator is now also accessible from the outside.
In addition to the 230V induction hob, there is also an integrated gas cooker, as known from past generations. A 230-volt socket on the outside of the kitchen and an outdoor folding table perfect life on the pitch. The kitchen drawers are accessible from the outside and inside.
The compact grill is also important, which can be stowed away in the kitchen block and conveniently removed from the outside. Similar to the Grand California on a crafter basis, the refrigerator, which can also be reached from the outside and is equipped with a drawer, offers practical advantages: The food is on the table even faster at breakfast. In addition, the purchase of fresh food in summer can be loaded from the shopping cart directly into the refrigerator.
Another advantage is the second sliding door for right-hand drive markets such as England, Australia and New Zealand, where you can now also get on and off in California from the safe sidewalk side. One thing is certain: The dual concept - the use as a VW bus in everyday life and as a multivariable motorhome in leisure time - is significantly enriched by the new three-room concept.
Interior thought out down to the last detail
The interior architecture of the show car has been thought through down to the last detail and offers numerous new features and advantages. Let's start at the front: Since the Multivan does not have a manual, but an electric parking brake, the passage between driver's and front passenger's seat towards the rear is much better usable. Practical drawers under the front height-adjustable swivel seats and the individual seats in the rear, however, expand the storage space. There is thus space behind the driver's or passenger's seat, e.g. for a removable dry separation toilet.
However, the upper and lower kitchen cabinets, which are arranged behind the refrigerator, offer plenty of storage space. In addition, there is a separate storage area under the bed extension. The interior is bathed in a pleasant light by a circumferential and dimmable ambient lighting in the roof frame. The ambient light on the cabinet fits in different colors of the personal
3/7
mood on. A removable table lamp integrated in the kitchen block ensures a cozy atmosphere outside. If it may be a little brighter, the LED lighting attached to the awning arms immerses the "terrace" on the vehicle in a pleasant light.
pop-up roof and high-quality roof bed
A Bulli like California is inconceivable without the classic pop-up roof. This is also the case with the California CONCEPT. It consists of the lightweight aluminum roof shell and a three-layer bellows, which has a large panoramic opening to the front. Generous windows on the sides allow a magnificent panoramic view. As with all California, the pop-up roof moves to the highest position at the front. USB-C sockets and LED lamps provide power and light in the pop-up roof. However, a high-quality roof bed with spring plates is the guarantee for a restful sleep under the starry sky.
Control via camper control panel, smartphone or infotainment
The installation mechanism of the roof is operated via a tablet - on the cabinet in the C-pillar, arranged vertically and multifunctional. All features relevant to camping are controlled via the touch display. In addition to the pop-up roof, this includes the information on the fresh and waste water level, the interior lighting functions including ambient lighting, the status of the power supply, the refrigerator and the parking heater. In addition, all these functions can also be controlled via smartphone via the "Cali on Tour" app and via infotainment system. An inclination indicator can also be called via the infotainment system to align the camper horizontally.
But the tablet not only informs about the vehicle, it can also provide good entertainment. So it can be swung out on a articulated arm and aligned in such a way that it can be seen well from any position in the passenger compartment. For the favorite TV series, it can also be shot by 90 degrees, so that nothing stands in the way of an entertaining cinema evening.
The California CONCEPT shows that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will continue to accompany Bulli fans on their travels all over the world with innovative camper concepts in the future. This future will become the present in 2024 with all the drive systems of the Multivan.
the series - with all the continuity of the iconic details - is always further developed. The new California CONCEPT is now another big step forward. Its technical features make it the ideal motorhome of our time: The California CONCEPT offers the advantages of plug-in hybrid technology for the first time. On board, the study has a hybrid drive: With its electric range, it beats a
Bridge into the world of e-mobility and can travel emission-free through everyday urban life, but at the same time it offers enormous overall ranges for long journeys. Lithium-ion batteries on board ensure an almost self-sufficient 12V power supply.
Life in nature
The living and kitchen area of the motorhome was completely rethought. Because for the first time, this California is also equipped with a sliding door on the kitchen side. Thus, the usability now extends more than before to the outdoor area of the parking space and thus opens up a new dimension of summer camping in nature. So far, it has been like this: All California on the basis of the Bulli had the kitchen block reaching up to the B-pillar on the left side and a sliding door on the right side; this door was the main portal - both in everyday life and when camping.
The camper folding chairs and the folding table as well as the awning were therefore also always set up on the right side of the vehicle. From now on, it is like this: With the California CONCEPT, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles opens up the left side of the vehicle for camping through the additional sliding door on the driver's side and a kitchen block - in the style of the large Grand California - further back. This makes the California even more versatile as a motorhome.
Since the study is equipped with a articulated arm awning on the left and with a sun sail on the right, both sides of the vehicle can be shaded or protected from rain. The sun sail can be used in a few moments. The awning, however, has a crank; which is safely stowed in the awning housing.
Three-room concept
For the first time, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presents a three-room concept with the show car. These outdoor and indoor situations for the camper parking space and everyday life significantly expand the range of applications and usability of the California.
Room 1 (outside)
The right side of the vehicle offers a safe entry and exit on the sidewalk side in everyday life with its sliding door as with the current California 6.1. Loading and unloading is correspondingly safe and easy. At the campsite, this area becomes an open tent and extended open-air space in nature thanks to the sun sail.
Room 2 (inside)
The entire interior behind the 180-degree rotatable front seats (adjustable in height) is the usual flexibly usable passenger compartment of a multivan in everyday life. Compared to today's California, there are light, removable and
2/7
very comfortable individual seats for use. Thanks to the variable seats, boards and bikes can now also be transported more easily in the interior. If the California CONCEPT is used as a camper, the seating area can be quickly converted into a lying surface for chilling or into a vis-à-vis arrangement of the seats for eating or playing together. The massive rear seat of the California 6.1 makes room for variable individual seats with sleeping function in the California CONCEPT. The seats are covered with an equally insensitive and haptically pleasant fabric cover in the "Mélange" design.
Room 3 (outside)
The additional sliding door on the driver's side, the redesign of the kitchenette including awning creates a new outdoor area on the left, which was previously not available at any other California in connection with an outdoor kitchen. In everyday life, the second sliding door offers another entry and exit and additional loading facilities on the home driveway or in front of the supermarket. When camping, however, the actual space for cooking and eating as well as for long summer evenings under the awning is created here. Because the kitchenette with sink, sliding induction hob and refrigerator is now also accessible from the outside.
In addition to the 230V induction hob, there is also an integrated gas cooker, as known from past generations. A 230-volt socket on the outside of the kitchen and an outdoor folding table perfect life on the pitch. The kitchen drawers are accessible from the outside and inside.
The compact grill is also important, which can be stowed away in the kitchen block and conveniently removed from the outside. Similar to the Grand California on a crafter basis, the refrigerator, which can also be reached from the outside and is equipped with a drawer, offers practical advantages: The food is on the table even faster at breakfast. In addition, the purchase of fresh food in summer can be loaded from the shopping cart directly into the refrigerator.
Another advantage is the second sliding door for right-hand drive markets such as England, Australia and New Zealand, where you can now also get on and off in California from the safe sidewalk side. One thing is certain: The dual concept - the use as a VW bus in everyday life and as a multivariable motorhome in leisure time - is significantly enriched by the new three-room concept.
Interior thought out down to the last detail
The interior architecture of the show car has been thought through down to the last detail and offers numerous new features and advantages. Let's start at the front: Since the Multivan does not have a manual, but an electric parking brake, the passage between driver's and front passenger's seat towards the rear is much better usable. Practical drawers under the front height-adjustable swivel seats and the individual seats in the rear, however, expand the storage space. There is thus space behind the driver's or passenger's seat, e.g. for a removable dry separation toilet.
However, the upper and lower kitchen cabinets, which are arranged behind the refrigerator, offer plenty of storage space. In addition, there is a separate storage area under the bed extension. The interior is bathed in a pleasant light by a circumferential and dimmable ambient lighting in the roof frame. The ambient light on the cabinet fits in different colors of the personal
3/7
mood on. A removable table lamp integrated in the kitchen block ensures a cozy atmosphere outside. If it may be a little brighter, the LED lighting attached to the awning arms immerses the "terrace" on the vehicle in a pleasant light.
pop-up roof and high-quality roof bed
A Bulli like California is inconceivable without the classic pop-up roof. This is also the case with the California CONCEPT. It consists of the lightweight aluminum roof shell and a three-layer bellows, which has a large panoramic opening to the front. Generous windows on the sides allow a magnificent panoramic view. As with all California, the pop-up roof moves to the highest position at the front. USB-C sockets and LED lamps provide power and light in the pop-up roof. However, a high-quality roof bed with spring plates is the guarantee for a restful sleep under the starry sky.
Control via camper control panel, smartphone or infotainment
The installation mechanism of the roof is operated via a tablet - on the cabinet in the C-pillar, arranged vertically and multifunctional. All features relevant to camping are controlled via the touch display. In addition to the pop-up roof, this includes the information on the fresh and waste water level, the interior lighting functions including ambient lighting, the status of the power supply, the refrigerator and the parking heater. In addition, all these functions can also be controlled via smartphone via the "Cali on Tour" app and via infotainment system. An inclination indicator can also be called via the infotainment system to align the camper horizontally.
But the tablet not only informs about the vehicle, it can also provide good entertainment. So it can be swung out on a articulated arm and aligned in such a way that it can be seen well from any position in the passenger compartment. For the favorite TV series, it can also be shot by 90 degrees, so that nothing stands in the way of an entertaining cinema evening.
The California CONCEPT shows that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will continue to accompany Bulli fans on their travels all over the world with innovative camper concepts in the future. This future will become the present in 2024 with all the drive systems of the Multivan.
OooOooTheMonkey
Lifetime VIP Member
Some bits are clever. A lot of thought has clearly gone into it. But there’s very little storage space from what I can see. I can’t see this vehicle working for us like the T6.1 does. I’m not sold on it. I’d probably move onto the new Nugget rather than have this.
U
UrbanSplash
New Volkswagen California swaps to car platform, gains PHEV | Autocar
Next-gen campervan previewed with more space, hybrid power, improved kitchen and a second sliding door
Seats look very comfy!
Ch1pbutty
Super Poster
VIP Member
Agree, tap folds down & then hob slides back…nice idea. Plus if it’s induction hob then you free up storage space as no gas bottle required.
From tent to van
Watch the video walk around above. Has gas also. I don’t see how there is enough storage in this.
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